#you know this happened with Johnny & Sonya about Cassie at least once.

[cienie-isengardu]

Lin Kuei: Cryomancers

RELIGION <> ORIGINS / ARCHITECTURE <> FOOD <> FOR THE LIN KUEI <> ART <> CRYOMANCERS <> LIN KUEI SOCIETY <> MONEY & MATERIAL GOODS

The continuation of the morgianesffs-blog’s list of questions about Lin Kuei. I initially divided them into smaller categories and the cryomancers will be the subject of this essay.

For the formalities, the original questions:

Question about the Cryomancers. I know the game lore says that they are supposed to be rare, but I also know that the Lin Kuei have had at least 5 (grandpa, papa, older, and younger Sub Zero,  and Frost). 4 of which are part of 3 generations that inherited it even with mixed blood (I'm assuming Mama Sub Zero wasn't Cryomancer since they left her alone).

That's a lot of generations in a row for a rare trait... So do you think the Cryomancers as a group have figured out they're being hunted and have chosen to live in hiding?

Looking at the sources, my personal theory is that the true problem is not that cryomancers are rare per se but that not every of their descendents:

is capable of using ice powers. 

will survive long enough to develop and control the freezing abilities 

Johnny and Cassie Cage are the best analogy for point A - both are the descendants “of an ancient Mediterranean cult who bred warriors for the gods”[MK9!Johnny’s bio] and thus possess special - and at least in theory rare - genes. Johnny is one of the top Earthrealm Champions yet he, canonically, managed to use his inner power only once, in a fight against Shinnok to protect Sonya. When Cassie was born, she had a very high chance to inherit Johnny's rare genes and because of that was the potentially future champion. Coming from Briggs-Blade-Cage family gaves Cassie a lot of opportunities to develop her fighting abilities, first because of strong ties to military and later also to other meritorious Earthrealm defenders. Yet like father before, the inner power was activated only under strong pressure, while protecting her family from Shinnok. And despite all the access to additional powerful mentors (Raiden, Sub-Zero, Bo' Rai Cho, Fujin and maybe even Scorpion), she still struggles with mastering the power - and with using it at will. And let’s be real here, Cassie is a superb warrior in her prime of life - if someone like her struggles with mastering ancient power, most who happen to be also descendants of these warriors may never use it even once during their lifetime.

And here comes my feeling that Lin Kuei could have even dozen descendents of cryomancers at the same time yet only few will truly be able to discover their potential and even less to master it (and only one, the best, will use the title of Sub-Zero). It is outright said, that freezing powers are hard to control and are usually mastered at the latest stages of life, as we were told by Mythologies: Sub-Zero in-tie material: 

Sub-Zero learned of his ability as a young adult. It was passed on to him by his father, a fourth generation Lin Kuei warrior himself. The ability to harness the element of cold is one that takes years of practice. It's full potential realized only by those who've mastered it at the latest stages of life. Sub-Zero's skills have the ability to develop much faster than those of the other Lin Kuei. [source]

By logic, if naturally cryomancers need years to get a grip of their power but Bi-Han’s skills developed much faster than the rest and it happened when he was already a young adult (a person in their teens or early twenties, max thirty?), then most cryomancer learn how to use their ability as an adult (25-30+ years old?). Now, considering the mortality of warriors in this brutal profession and harsh system of punishment, not many cryomancers will live enough to truly develop ice powers. They do, however, can pass the genes to the new generation and it seems as something happening from ancient times. Except not every baby with their special genes will be taken by Lin Kuei and though limited sources, it seems like female cryomancer are not the main target. 

My personal theory for this is based around pregnancy and how difficult it must be to carry a child with special powers that may or may not manifest itself in the least expected moment. The conscious use of power of course requires experience and control but in the unborn child it could result from independent stimuli that affect both the child and mother. So a mother with cryomancer genes probably has a better chance to give birth to a healthy offspring and not to die in the process (thus producing another child(s)) than a full-blood human one. Also, the two known examples of the not taken by Lin Kuei female descendants of cryomancers were the youngest children (and in the case of MK Conquest TV series, one was born after her brother's kidnapping). So there is a possibility that Lin Kuei intentionally does not take every available child, in order to not "break the genealogical line" and in result, cut their source of new warriors. 

(The other reasons I can think of why female cryomancers may not be the main target for Lin Kuei are: 

A) some biological complications that makes female cryomancer with active ability much rarer, thus the uneven ratio of known Lin Kuei male to female ice warriors. This could fuel Frost’s ego (the rare example of female cryomancer with powerful freezing abilities) but also her anger for not recognizing her skills and/or right to the title of Sub-Zero by Kuai Liang.

B) cryomancer’s strong sense of family ties thus natural instinct to protect their own. So if a female ice warrior gets pregnant, taking the child from her could be a pretty hazardous thing, especially if blood-related cryomancers are somehow emotionally/psychologically bonded with each other. In the past, the one Grandmaster who wanted to punish (male) Sub-Zero for helping Great Kung Lao (who saved Sub-Zero's biological family) got killed in the process. And this Sub-Zero was kidnapped years ago so he knew his family only from some distant memories yet despite the lack of real interaction with biological parents and sister (born after his disappearance), he allied with the enemy to pay the debt and killed his superior without a second thought. Then we have MK9!Kuai Liang who against Grandmaster’s orders ran away from Lin Kuei to avenge brother’s death because the clan did not tell him what happened to Bi-Han. So it seems that once a biological family is threatened, the (male) ice warriors get pretty agressive and openly disobedient. Now imagine how far would a female cryomancer go if her child was put in danger by the clan. I mean, keeping cryomancers in check is a pretty hard thing on normal days and in times of family critical matters even worse.)

Another useful information comes from Grandmaster [MK Conquest TV series, episode 3 - Cold Reality] who said about then currently in-training Sub-Zero:

So rare. Centuries have passed since one such as this has been among us.

Which could be interpreted as either Lin Kuei did not have a cryomancer for centuries or did not have a cryomancer who developed strong freezing abilities so fast(?). I personally think it is the latter because cryomancer power is described as “ancient” and if there wouldn’t be any cryomancer for centuries, the knowledge about the ice-wielder could be lost and forgotten. Of course, as the Grandmaster, the man could be simply familiar with clan history and lore but dunno, it seemed like he knew what to expect and how to force still-in-training Sub-Zero to develop his powers. Which, in all honesty, was pretty brutal and from what was shown on screen, involved throwing hot coals on the warrior’s bare back. What is painful for a normal person, even more for someone whose body is built to withstand freezing temperatures, not the heat. So, either there was a book with all the bad tips on how to train cryomancer in case you get one or the grandmaster actually had some experiences to compare Sub-Zero abilities with other candidates and/or ice warriors.

Frankly, I have this really old theory of mine, that fleeing from Outworld cryomancers had a deal with Lin Kuei - in exchange for the help and shelter, the cryomancer agreed to give some of their children to the clan. Thus from ancient times, warriors with ice-powers served Lin Kuei and passed the duty from one generation to another. However, with the passing time and mixing with native people, their natural abilities regressed to the point some branches of the cryomancer family could be declared as extinct, as in, not possessing the right combination of genes. In result forgetting their own legacy only for the power unexpectedly activating generations later. In Mortal Kombat Conquest TV series, the family of a kidnapped years ago cryomancer boy did not have any(?) clue why Lin Kuei targeted them. Something similar could happen to Bi-Han and Kuai Liang in an alternative timeline, thus the unusual abduction mentioned in Kuai Liang’s MK9!BIO:

"An assassin of the Lin Kuei clan, Kuai Liang commands the power of ice and cold. Unlike other members of his clan, he and his older brother, Bi-Han, were abducted as children by the Lin Kuei and trained in the techniques of assassination throughout their lives [...]”

If that would be true, the Lin Kuei could keep eye on every known descendent of cryomancer species (run away or simply living in ignorance) and kidnap only a few selected children. Of course, some family members tried to hide their children from Lin Kuei, which was seen in the original timeline. In this case, the mother of Bi-Han and Kuai Liang tried to save them from their father, a faithful Lin Kuei warrior. 

I will be honest here, I always thought that mom of ice bros was simply a normal but unlucky woman who somehow got involved in assassin clan matters. Yet Mythologies: Sub-Zero tie-in materials gave an interestingly input about the family situation:

Their mother wanted a normal life for her sons, who had already been chosen by the Lin Kuei to become warriors for the clan. She tried in vein to hide them from their father whose own life in America was only a cover for his true identity and purpose. Eventually they were found and their father returned with them to his homeland. Their mother and sister were never seen or heard from again. 

The most standing out informations (hints):

→  the children weren’t randomly kidnapped but chosen by the clan. In the case of Bi-Han and Kuai Liang, the choice makes sense since they came from a family serving Lin Kuei for at least the last four generations (while their father alone was Sub-Zero himself). Yet their sister, most likely the youngest child, was not included. So she was still too young or wasn’t meant to become a warrior at all. Either due to lack of potential or because of some unknown to us clan politics forbidding taking all children. The most intriguing is how the clan determined who should be chosen or who left in peace. Like, was the clan so versed in genetic science to predict things like that or did they have other (magic?) ways to predict (check) whether it was worth taking the indicated child? Were the children prematurely tested before the decision was made?

Additionally, in MK Conquest TV series, the Grandmaster sounds pretty sure about Sub-Zero’s freezing abilities before the warrior himself started consciously use them:

“He has trained his whole life. His fighting skills are unmatched among us… yet it is only now that he truly begins… for it is his destiny to carry to battle ancient powers. The time has come to unleash them.” [Episode 3, “Cold Reality”].

What could explain why Lin Kuei took only the boy yet did not come for his younger sister born to the same parents (thus having in theory the same chances to inherit the wanted genes).  

→ the mother seemed to be aware about Lin Kuei and the clan's interest in her children, so for all we know she actually could be one of them or be more involved in her partner (husband?)’s criminal activity. This is an interesting idea in context of her desire to give her sons a normal life. The mother tried but failed to hide the boys from Lin Kuei. She and the daughter weren’t seen nor heard of again what may imply both died… or, if mother was truly full trained Lin Kuei herself, she actually managed to run away with the daughter and hide so well. Anyway, if Kuai Liang and Bi-Han’s mother or sister survived long enough to give birth to another child, the Sub-Zero brothers could still have a biological family living somewhere, maybe even ignorant about the whole cryomancer legacy. 

In summary, and this is really just my personal take on the matter, there are many more descendants of cryomancer species around the world than we know about. The problem lies in genetic variation that gives a freezing ability only to a handful of people. Some cryomancers were part of Lin Kuei for generations (and maybe get paired with genetically specific group of people for better breeding thus the continuity of ice warriors generations), some never learned about their true legacy and some knew and either seek out the clan (Frost) or tried shield their children from the cruel life of assassin. Sadly, it seems like Lin Kuei warriors were really good at tracking the right families to get children with certain abilities so even if at some point cryomancers decided to hide it did not save them in the long run. On other hand, cryomancer adepts are very stubborn and unwilling to let themselves forget about their biological family, so Lin Kuei balanced on thin ice with hunting down and training the descendants of cryomancers. 

#mortal kombat #cryomancers #lin kuei #my replies #sub zero #bi han #kuai liang #mother of ice bros #mortal kombat mythologies #sorry it took me so long to do this #my analysis #johnny cage #and #cassie cage #are an interesting example how having special genes does not #guarantees the possibility of using the special powers that comes in pair

[puttingfingerstokeys]

heart and fire

I had to fuck with italics on this thing ‘cause holy shit are they important. 

Thermodynamic equilibrium (subscorp), uh, post-aftermath on the fucked up timeline. I want nice things so I’m going to give Kuai Liang nice things....... sort of! Gay ninja ahead (and prolly behind, too, lbr they’re ninja)

For @sxvethelastdance, my Heart

Bonus “chapter” here.

Broken Timeline

It has been two months, my Fire, since I returned to Netherrealm to recover your body. We sought to reclaim the fallen from both our clans, with limited success. Your younger counterpart showed me the place where D’vorah stole you from me. I swear vengeance upon her, should she ever have the misfortune of crossing my path.

Frost was among those we were able to locate and she is recovering at Arctika, though she will not speak to anyone. She threatened to throw herself into the Sea of Blood upon discovery, but that fate was not worthy of a Lin Kuei—even a traitor. I should have written sooner, but my duties have taken me from the pen and solitude.

You will be pleased to know that Takeda Takahashi has resigned his post with Special Forces to assume interim leadership of the Shirai-Ryu. The boy is well-trained and wise; he does not fill your boots, but he is humble and willing to learn. No member of the Shirai-Ryu can best him. You have taught him well.

He has married Jacqueline Briggs—it was a quiet ceremony soon after we returned from the assault on Kronika’s keep—and they are now expecting a child. . Takeda came to me recently and asked if I thought it appropriate to call the boy Hanzo, assuming it is a boy. I think it is only right that someone carries your name. I will always carry it in my heart, but it will be good to hear aloud.

I miss you.

“Takeda, thank you for meeting me.” The two ninja stood outside the Fire Gardens, just beyond the gate, Kuai Liang looking in, but making no move to enter.

“It’s always a pleasure, Grandmaster Sub-Zero,” said the younger man, putting a flat, open hand over his fist and bowing. “What brings you here?” He glanced up and down at the Lin Kuei Grandmaster and, noting the envelope in one hand, he gestured toward it, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“This—you’ve seen through me—is for… if you might place it at Grandmaster Hasashi’s resting place, I would be—”

“I will not,” came the quick reply. It wasn’t sharp, but it was firm. “You will.”

“But I am—”

“Welcome in the Fire Gardens, Grandmaster, as are your students; it is a step Grandmaster Hasashi would have taken and I… I am only interim instructor, but I will honor his legacy, no matter what.” He saluted the Lin Kuei once more, this time bowing deeply and gesturing toward the entrance. “I’ll show you where he’s… where we’ve got a marker.”

There was, of course, no body to bury, but that would have been the way of the Shirai-Ryu anyway. It was to Sub-Zero’s shame that he had brought them no corpse, and his own eternal agony that he did not at least have one last chance to… I never told him, not really, not properly. Leaves fell all around them, red and gold, perpetually in motion, making the place resemble its name. It is cold without you.

“It’s in a quiet corner,” Takeda said, trying to fill the pregnant silence between them. His fellow Shirai-Ryu were all around, if unseen. None of them raised a hand or weapon to Grandmaster Kuai Liang, however. They, for the most part, were in favor of uniting once more with their ancestral brethren. Those who were not, kept it to themselves and would rather not have begun a spat with Sub-Zero. “Near a koi pond… I think you’ll like it.”

Sub-Zero made no move to answer as the path twisted once more to the left and opened to a beautiful grotto. There was, indeed, a pond, but Takeda had neglected to mention the green foliage, bright red and orange flowers, and the waterfall, babbling over several layers of stones before emptying into the pond. The fish swam this way and that, utterly unaware of the world around them. Kuai Liang envied them.

To one side was a pillar, an obelisk that looked like it was made of volcanic glass. Atop it was a small brazier and in that, a flame danced this way and that, an ethereal quality to its rhythm. There was an inscription upon the pillar itself, but Sub-Zero’s gaze was lost in the flame almost immediately, arresting every bit of his attention.

“Yeah, I get that too when I come here… Liu Kang—err… Lord Liu Kang lit that sucker and… well, it’s god fire, so it’s not goin’ out.” Takeda was receding from the grotto. “I’ll just… leave you two, yeah?” He did not wait for an answer before melting into the fire-colored foliage of the Gardens.

Kuai Liang clutched the envelope, hard, wrinkling it in his effort to bite back tears and swallow down the choking lump that was rising in his throat. His heart twisted and ached as he dropped to one knee before the pillar. The inscription was simple: Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi, eternal flame of the Shirai-Ryu; you will never be forgotten. There was so much more about him that Kuai Liang wanted to add, but there was not enough obsidian in the world for that.

He settled himself presently, then, closing his eyes and focusing inward, clearing his mind, breathing softly, deeply. Reaching out, he laid one hand upon the small obelisk, feeling where each word was carved, imagining he could also feel heat coming from it. That was silly, of course, but it comforted him. He stayed that way for a while, before opening his eyes once more and standing, still holding the envelope.

The grandmaster’s sharp gaze fell upon that fire and slowly, reverently, he lifted the envelope and letter to it. The fire licked up and around it, consuming the paper with little effort until there was nothing but ash. It wasn’t the words themselves, but the sentiment behind them which counted for the ears of the dead.

He left silently and with dignity, letting not a single, chilly tear fall until he returned to Arctika and his private quarters.

My fire. It has been one year since my last letter. Forgive my waiting so long. It was difficult to find time and then, to begin. The snow here seems deeper than it ever has and harder to move through; it no longer feels a part of me and I am cold. But you need not suffer the chill with me.

Hanzo Briggs-Takahashi is a robust boy even at one year old. There seems to be some debate over his education, but for now, he lives happily with his mother and father among the Shirai-Ryu. They have determined this to be the best course of action until everything has settled to an acceptable level of disorder.

I neglected to mention in my last letter that Liu Kang has, with the aid of Lord Raiden, ascended to divinity. He is a worthy young man and I feel confident in his abilities to guide the shifting of the sands of time. I wish you had been there to see him lead the armies of Outworld and Earthrealm against Kronika. But maybe those memories are with you now that your past self has been sent back to his proper time.

I will never stop missing you, but writing eases the pain a little.

 The letters continued, as frequently as he could manage, for years. It felt like centuries. His favorite time to write was when despair was upon him, because writing to his lost love reminded him that he was not simply living for himself, but for Hanzo’s dream and memory. He did not remember all the words he had written, and no one else would ever read them, but they were not for anyone else, so it did not matter.

You will be pleased, my Fire, to know that the Takahashi family has expanded once more, by one. Their daughter, Sonya, was born yesterday morning, healthy and squalling like a storm. I think her name is appropriate. Johnny and Cassie Cage will be arriving at the Fire Gardens later this week, I am told, to greet the child and spend some time with Jacqueline and Takeda. I will deliver this letter then.

I cannot believe it has been four years since I last laid eyes and lips upon you. I miss your taste, your warmth. My heart aches daily for you, but the ache eases when I write and remember you as you were, vibrant and powerful, the light of my life, and the warmth. Worry not. The warmth has not utterly deserted me. I see in Takeda’s boy much of your spirit, and I visit the Fire Gardens often, with Takeda’s gracious permission.

We are moving forward, slowly, with the integration training. Twice per year, we stay at the other’s residence, with all our students, working together. Frost is still a tough case, but I think her loss to Takeda recently might have tempered her cold fire. Defeat does not settle well upon the shoulders of any Lin Kuei, but taking it with grace is a learned art. She has not learned this; I must educate her.

I love you with all my heart and soul.

 This one, he did indeed deliver when he visited the Fire Gardens to see the new baby. Sonya was even prettier than her brother had been and he was delighted to hold her in his great, chilly arms. Dark eyes stared up at him with a depth of understanding he could not have predicted from an infant. Gripping his finger with one tiny hand, she squealed with delight and flailed her limbs as he looked on with aching fondness.

“Isn’t she perfect?” Takeda asked Sub-Zero as he handed the little creature back to her mother. Jacqui was glowing and Kuai Liang was not clear if he meant the child or the mother. Instead, he nodded. He did not stay long, but it was refreshing to his soul to see the people of this ruined timeline picking themselves back up and making the best of their situation.

My Fire, you will scarcely believe the strangeness which has happened here at Arctika. Our hot springs have begun to run far too hot to bathe in, or even to touch! The minerals are beginning to build up on the walls in the grotto and I must send students out, daily, to address this. They are hard at work, “building character”, Frost included. She seems to set about the task with the most vigor, as if the buildup offends her. Perhaps it does. Arctika, this place she fought so hard to be in, has recently been invaded by your Shirai-Ryu and they too have set about the task—of cleaning the grotto, not offending Frost; she does that well enough on her own.

I would like, more than anything, to once more share tea and to bathe with you. That intimacy is long gone from my flesh and I often crave it—not as you did, of course. I find myself almost blushing at the thought. Almost. I miss your eyes, so dark and intense, it was always as if you were looking into me, boring in deep and searching… for what, I cannot guess, but I wish you would do it again.

Yours forever, Grandmaster Hasashi, forever and a day and then forever again.

Even a skilled kryomancer stood no chance against the heat of the springs, and so it, too, became a training ground for the combined forces of the Lin Kuei and Shirai-Ryu. Takeda and Grandmaster Kuai Liang often went out to the springs to breathe in the healing steam and to speak. They talked of much—of history and the future—and deepened their understanding of each other.

“He would have wanted you to take his place,” Sub-Zero said, “once you’d proven yourself, of course.”

Takeda’s eyes flew wide. “Never in a million years, Grandmaster; are you kidding me?” His cheeks were flushed with exhilaration at the weight of the compliment he’d just been paid by the Lin Kuei’s leader. “I don’t… I’m not ready for that.”

“And that is why you are. A good Grandmaster knows his limitations.” Kuai Liang did not look at Takeda, an envelope clutched in his hand.

“Will you be joining us on the journey back to the Fire Gardens tomorrow, Grandmaster?”

“I will, with your permission, Takeda,” replied Sub-Zero, contemplating the boiling water. Of course, Takeda would not refuse, so the question was more of a formality than anything else. There were certain parts of tradition to which Takeda had noticed the Lin Kuei Grandmaster held strictly, and others he had thrown utterly out the window. The first one was, of course, his adoration of Grandmaster Hasashi, which Takeda had long ago suspected was more than academic friendship or alliance. It was a suspicion he would, naturally, never pursue.

The two men stood, side by side, arms folded, considering everything they had done in the past five years, all the progress they had made. The Shirai-Ryu were really and truly restored, standing upon the shoulders of Scorpion’s hard work. The Lin Kuei were even recovering and their number had increased, though they were still a shell of what they had been. Only a few of the cyber assassins had been recoverable at the Sea of Blood and of those, even fewer had retained their sanity after they had been reset—such was their grief at the injustice they had wrought on Frost’s behalf.

Kuai Liang was not sure she would ever show appropriate remorse, but he decided she was not a lost cause. He would keep working on her, like a glacier carves a lake. The movement was slow but inexorable. Eventually, she would see and she would learn. Even one so stubborn as she could be taught, he was certain. His resolve would not be broken by one such as Frost.

“…does it seem hotter, Grandmaster?” Takeda’s voice was muffled, suddenly, by the amount of steam suddenly filling the air of the grotto. Sub-Zero’s eyes narrowed as he peered through the haze, as if doing so could discern the source of the disturbance.

“It is,” he confirmed, “but… why?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” Takeda growled, reaching out toward Sub-Zero. “Go,” he grunted, “grab some of your students—the cyber Lin Kuei should be able to see through this fog!”

Sub-Zero could not deny the logic of this, but he disliked leaving Takeda. There was an ill-omened heaviness in the air all of a sudden he was not entirely sure was the steam or the mineral smells which came with it. There was a loud, violent hiss and a jet of water, then, from the center of the springs and both men would have been pelted with stinging droplets had it not been for Kuai Liang’s hastily built ice wall and the quick thinking to tug Takeda behind it.

Neither kombatant was expecting something wickedly sharp and hot to pierce the center of the wall directly between their heads. The heat of it caused the rest of the structure to begin cracking and both men dived to either side to avoid its collapse. The familiar, discordant song of a retracting chain rang out in the steamy half-gloom, the light of torches now obscured and throwing strange shadows, diffused through the steam.

Quan-Chi.

Both minds settled upon this conclusion simultaneously, though without having spoken it. Takeda jumped to his feat and readied himself. Whatever Neatherrealm incursion this was, it would be met with extreme prejudice. Neither knew precisely where Quan-Chi might have fallen in the scheme of things. He had met his end by Scorpion’s hand, but that did not mean some shift in the mythical sands of time had not restored him—utterly by accident, of course, but it was a mistake which would require swift correction.

Of course, as far as they knew, only Hanzo Hasashi had ever mastered the chain and spear to that extent, so Quan-Chi himself could not possibly have been on the other end of it. Kuai Liang’s mind was racing. Was that why he had not found his lover’s body? Could Quan-Chi have been accidentally restored and had begun his machinations, once more, to hold the throne of Netherrealm for his infernal (decapitated) master?

The very idea of a wraith bearing his Fire’s face settled deep in the pit of Kuai Liang’s guts, twisting into a dragon of rage, ripping at his insides and gripping his heart violently. He was as close to burning with rage as a Lin Kuei could be.

“Takeda,” he snarled, “go. I will deal with this abomination.”

For once, Takeda Takahashi did not argue. He did not resolve to stay gone, however. He raced toward the grotto’s exit, intent on making his way swiftly down the side of the mountain to the Arctika complex and alerting every ninja in its walls that they were under attack. Takeda had almost reached the divide between grotto and open mountain face when the horrific echo of clear words rang out seemingly from everywhere.

“GET OVER HERE!” The chain sang through the air and Takeda whirled, moving to block or to face his demise. Only Sub-Zero’s swift motion stopped it hitting home as the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei caught the barb in an icy grip and crushed it, shaking the remains free from his hand as if it were a mere inconvenience.

“Go,” he repeated and stalked toward the springs. All around him, steam turned to ice and fell to the ground like heavy sleet. As his rage built, the temperature dropped and soon there was an aura of cold surrounding him, combatting the steam. Diamond tears fell from eyes which had hardened to flinty slits as he stepped past the edge of the springs, into—no, onto—the water, which was freezing solid under each step.

“Why don’t you get over here for a change,” snarled Sub-Zero, “and show me that face you’re wearing—the face you have not earned, Revenant!”

“Revenant?” The voice was a raspy bark. Following the word was laughter. Sub-Zero concentrated on solidifying the water particles around him to create a solid barrier that would be just a little more difficult for his assailant to pierce. He had not forgotten that, in later years, Scorpion had begun to carry—and proficiently use—two spear chains. The latter would come soon enough.

“You are a puppet of Quan-Chi, unworthy of the body you inhabit. Come, face me, and see the truth of your fallibility!” Kuai Liang drew himself up and stood tall, continuing. “Yours is the fire of hell, not of his heart, a thing so great you could not begin to comprehend it, much less mimic—but again, I invite you to come and allow me to demonstrate. It will be a pleasure.”

Sub-Zero had anticipated the spear.

He had not counted on Hellport, which Scorpion used with impunity.

Suddenly, the heat behind him was unbearable and there was a piercing agony ripping into his senses, starting at his shoulder, between the joint and the scapula. He could feel it digging deep, feel the lukewarm sensation of his own blood flowing down his back. He had to act.

Kuai Liang whirled on the revenant, ice axe at the ready. He would cleave the beast’s head from its shoulders, no matter how twisted the visage was. Red eyes would meet his a moment, before falling from broad, strong shoulders Sub-Zero knew all to well.

Except that they were not.

They eyes were white. With the turn, Scorpion’s hand and arm had been yanked—refusing to let go, oh, that old tenacity was strong—around Kuai Liang’s back and had, in that motion, drawn his body closer until they were flush, touching, pressed together. Sub-Zero’s arm was falling, axe in hand and, though he would have stopped it, Scorpion’s grip upon his wrist halted the descent entirely.

The fingers upon Sub-Zero’s wrist were burning, as with a fever, and they eyes he met were ablaze with madness and fury. The brow knitted together at the bridge of the man’s nose was familiar, however, the grimace on his blood-soaked, lacerated face not unknown to Kuai Liang, either. Inches apart, this could have been a lover’s embrace, but for the spearhead embedded in his shoulder and the fiery grip locked upon his arm.

Vaporizing with a hiss, Kuai Liang’s faithful ice axe bowed out of the fight and he was left with no weapon—no external weapon, anyway. He leveraged his height advantage against Scorpion and drove him back twisting his arm to reverse the grip and grab him instead, forcing him yet closer. The ice under their feet was slick and filling the frozen dome with steam. Sub-Zero began to feel lightheaded.

He would have to end this quickly, or Scorpion would gut him and the water of the hot springs would run red with the Grandmaster’s blood. That he was not facing a revenant was secondary in his mind to survival. He knew all of Scorpion’s movements, every trick and feint. Unfortunately, Scorpion also knew his, intimately. If they broke apart, the brawl might draw itself out and in this heat, Sub-Zero was already feeling sluggish.

Wrapping both arms tightly around Scorpion’s body, then, forcing the arm he had trapped up behind the shorter mans’ back, he began to squeeze, dropping his temperature with as much rapidity as he could muster. His mind was racing, thoughts flowing as if down the choppy, white waters of a sub-arctic stream just after thaw and just as insubstantial, uncatchable. He had to stop the man’s movement.

Scorpion fought hard against the grip, snapping at Sub-Zero with his teeth. He would have landed a successful headbutt were it not for their difference in height and Kuai Liang tucking his head into the crook of Scorpion’s neck. Scorpion tensed, ceasing his thrashing for the briefest of interludes as Sub-Zero’s chilly, gentle lips pressed downward on scorched flesh. Rather than the bite the enraged wraith had been expecting, he only felt the sensual, gentle touch of the man’s mouth.

“I know what you are,” whispered Kuai Liang against his lover’s flesh, gripping him tight and slowing the descent of the temperature. Scorpion’s thrashing had all but ceased as he was literally cooled down from his agitated state. Beneath them, the water which had been upon the ice solidified as Scorpion finally went limp, succumbing to the cold. 

“A wraith once more.” The whisper was barely audible. Only Sub-Zero could hear these words, spoken so softly. He was bent over Scorpion, who had gone nearly boneless in his embrace, barely clinging to consciousness, but doing so with such tenacity it might have, under other circumstances, been frightening. 

“No,” said Sub-Zero, standing, straightening, and lifting Scorpion bodily into his arms. The naked wraith leaned against his chest, closing those unsettling, white eyes as the temperature began to stabilize and Kuai Liang stepped gracefully off the ice and onto solid ground. Steam rose once more from the Lin Kuei hot springs, but they did not boil. “You are my Fire, and you have come back to me.”

“Amusing,” grunted Hanzo Hasashi weakly, reaching up to swat the side of Kuai Liang’s bearded face, “that you thought death would free you of me, my Heart.”

Upon the warm water, an envelope floated, forgotten, soaking, ink running.  

#cc #cw #mortal kombat #subscorp #thermodynamic equilibrium #Sub-Zero #scorpion #hanzo hasashi #kuai liang

[rosa-berberifolia]

Unrequited|Mortal Kombat x Reader|Kenshi X Reader

A/N: Reader is a witch type thing. She makes spells and potions for the soldiers to aid and protect them.

Also, TBC? I’m not sure.

Be Warned: Angst out the wazoo! But a happy ending.

Word Count:  idk like 3100 ?

--------

You were cutting up some ingredients for a batch of protection charms, quietly humming to yourself as you worked. You were thinking of Kenshi. He had captured your attention the first day that you came to work for Special Forces. The thoughts about him that ran through your head, both fluff and smut, were immediately frozen as your whole body halted moving, breathing, and thinking when it was made known to you that he could read minds. 

He wore a smirk while he was being introduced to you. You knew that he had heard every thought you’d just had about him. But he politely nodded at you, saying that it was a pleasure to meet you. He didn’t act on anything that you had thought. And so you concluded that he did not return your feelings.

After he walked away with Johnny and Sonya, your whole body thawed and everything hit you at once. You had to hold onto the wall to stop yourself from falling over. He knew what you were thinking and he didn’t do anything. You had to admit that that hurt. It hurt way more than you thought that it should. After all, you had just met the guy and only spoke like six words to him. But you couldn’t help it. You gulped and wiped the tears that threatened to fall from your eyes. Standing up straight and reasoning that you’ve only met him once, and if he doesn’t want to do anything about it’s  his loss, you took a deep breath and went to your kitchen to start on your work.

You thought that over time it would be easier. That in time you could see Kenshi and not give a fuck. But that never happened. Every time you saw Kenshi it was like the first time. Your whole body froze as you choked out a greeting. Your mind flashed with images of cuddling in bed with him, or doing ‘other things’ in bed with him. And every time, he politely requested something for a mission, thanked you for it, and left. And every time he did nothing to reciprocate your feelings, your heart broke. 

Soon it turned to every time that you saw Kenshi, thoughts of his ‘rejection’ filled your head. Your body just filled with sadness, longing, and hopelessness. And you knew that Kenshi read it from you because his face read of guilt. You no longer looked forward to seeing Kenshi. You dreaded it. 

Cutting your ingredients you didn’t hear the footsteps approach you. So when you turned to grab something from the fridge and you saw Kenshi standing silently in your doorway, you nearly had a heart attack.

“Jesus Christ, Kenshi!” You said just a little below yelling. “Announce yourself.” You clutched your heart trying to catch your breath.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He apologized. “You seemed deep in thought.” And then you remembered what you had been thinking about, and your mood immediately dropped. You looked at him sadly knowing that he couldn’t see you. You shook your head and took a breath.

“What can I do for you?” You asked formally.

Kenshi’s face contorted in guilt. He cleared his throat, straightening up before answering. “You gave Johnny a potion last week that protected him from projectiles. I was hoping you might have more.”

“Oh. No. Sorry. I only made one batch. I wasn’t sure if it would work or not.” You explained.

“Apparently it was a life saver.” Kenshi told you.

You smiled at the news, glad that your product worked. But your smile faltered when Kenshi turned to leave.

“I could make more.” You said quickly, trying to get him to stay. Kenshi turned around and walked back into the kitchen. 

“Only if it isn’t too much trouble.” Kenshi advised.

“No, no. I mean, it takes forty-eight hours to prepare. And needs to be watched constantly. And one wrong move and the whole thing is toast. But no, I’d make it for you.” You said trying to make it sound like a joke even though all of it was true.

Kenshi of course knew that you weren’t joking. “Please, really.” He pushed.

“No, I should make a big batch for everyone if it works like you say.” You insisted.

He smiled at you and nodded. “Thank you.” He said before turning to leave.

As soon as he was out of ear shot you took the first real breath you had taken since you noticed he was there. You gasped as you caught your breath. Your heart pounded in your chest. It hurt. It hurt so much every time you saw him. But even if he caused you so much pain, you wiped the tears from your eyes, took another deep breath, and then took out your largest pot to get to work.

You went to your pantry where you store your supplies. You tried your best to hold yourself together but as soon as the door closed you broke. You started sobbing in a manner fit with someone who was in as much pain as you. Your heart hurt. Your head hurt. Your whole body hurt, and it was all over some stupid guy. You were mad at yourself for being so easily played like an instrument by him. And the worst part was, he was still nothing but kind and polite to you. At least if he had been a dick about it you would have a legitimate reason to be mad at him. But you didn’t have any reason to mad at him. And that made it worse. You slumped down the door of the pantry and held your head in your hands as you cried. At this point you didn’t care if anyone heard you. You just needed to let it out. All of the pangs of heartbreak that you dealt with on a daily basis. All of the times that your lungs would seize when you saw him. Every time that your stomach would lurch when he spoke to you. All of the sleepless nights you ended up crying yourself to sleep. You needed to let it all out. 

Suddenly you fell backwards as the door to the pantry was opened. You quickly shut up, wiped your eyes, and stood up. Standing in front of you was Cassie Cage. Maybe one of your only friends you had made since you started at SF. She looked at you sadly. She had guessed early on about your ‘crush’ on Kenshi. And she had told you before that if you ever wanted to talk about it with her that you could. But you had never taken her up on that offer. 

“That bad, huh?” She asked looking you over in an almost pitiful way. You couldn’t bring yourself to say anything. You just grabbed your arms and looked at the ground sadly. She sighed and turned around, going to your fridge. You walked away from the pantry and sat yourself in one of the stool by the counter. Cassie came back to sit next to you, two beers in hand. 

///

Hours later the two of you were still in the kitchen sitting by the counter. Except now there was an assortment of empty bottles around you. Having drunk your entire beer supply you switched to rum, deciding it was necessary to take shots. Cassie talked to you about every time a boy made her feel like shit in an effort to let you know that you weren’t the only one who suffered heartbreak. 

The only problem was that you could never believe that a man would pass up being with Cassie. She was strong, smart, and beautiful. Everything you thought you weren’t. And that her examples of men being dicks was a list that was miles long didn’t help either. It just made you feel worse about yourself. Not that you would ever tell her this. You generally just appreciated that she was here at all. Keeping you company and helping you get shit faced. 

///

Johnny was walking down the hall on his way to see you. He was going on a mission and your protective elixirs were a necessity in any fight. He was hoping you’d have some Green Fire available, and maybe a protection charm to put on as well.

On his way he approached a doorway and found Kenshi coming out of it.

“Hey, Ken Doll.” He greeted.

“Hello, Johnny.” Kenshi responded. “Where are you off too?”

“Going to see Y/n before I leave for my mission.” Johnny replied.

“Mind if I join you?” Kenshi motioned to continue walking. Johnny patted Kenshi on the should to show his approval, and the two continued on to you kitchen.

“Hey, you wouldn’t happen to know what Cassie was up to last night? She was holding her head at breakfast, and was moody. My guess is she was hungover.” Johnny asked Kenshi about his daughter.

“I haven’t seen her today.” Kenshi told him.

“Knock, knock.” Johnny said coming into your work space. You were stirring a pot on the stove when they came in.

“Hey Jo-” You started to greet but as you turned you saw Kenshi with him and your voice caught in your throat as your breath hitched back. You cleared your throat to try to calm down. “Hi Johnny, Kenshi.” You greeted.

“Hey Y/n, just wanted to see if you had any Green Fire that I could take on my mission.” Johnny said warily eyeing you. You had only half heard him because you were looking at Kenshi with a distraught look on your face. Johnny looked to Kenshi and then to you. You snapped out of your thoughts that had been primarily focused on not thinking about how heartbroken you were about Kenshi.

“Uh, yeah.” You said as you walked over to you pantry where you kept everything that you had already made. You pulled out two spherical glass containers filled with a green liquid. You carefully handed them to Johnny. You almost missed it when he mouthed to you, ‘Are you okay?’ You could just nod sadly at him. He looked at Kenshi quizzically.

“I just came to see how my request was coming along.” Kenshi clarified why he came. A small part of you had hoped that he came because you were important to him and he wanted to see how you were doing. Your heart sank again, for the millionth time since being introduced to him.

“It’s coming along quite nicely.” You said in a rather monotone voice. When were you going to give up on this terrible fantasy? It was then that Kenshi’s head turned in a curious fashion. He looked almost sad or disappointed. You wanted to console him. Ask him what was the matter. But you tried to push that out of your head. 

Kenshi nodded. “I’ll be on my way then.” He slightly bowed to you. “Johnny.” He said his goodbye, turned and then left. Johnny waited for him to turn around the corner down the hallway before he freaked out.

“When were you gonna tell me that you were in love with Ken-Doll?!” He asked a little too loudly. You smacked his arm.

“Am not!” You whisper shouted. “And keep your voice down!”

“Why? He can read minds. I’m pretty sure he already knows.” Johnny asked. You walked over to your counter and leaned back onto it and sighed sadly.

“I know he knows.” Your voice was full of all of the melancholy thoughts and feelings you had been harboring for the last however long. Johnny walked to the fridge and started moving things around in it.

“Oh c’mon, where is - Ah ha!” He said appearing once again with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. “Thought you would have had more of this...Is this was you and Cassie were up to last night?” He asked as he went into your cupboard and pulled out two glasses. You looked at him guilty as he poured some of the liquid into each he handed one to you and kept the other for himself. He laughed as you both started sipping.

Since starting to work at SF Headquarters you hadn’t really made friends with a lot of people. Sure you were cordial with everyone. But the only two people who really seemed to like you were Johnny and Cassie. They would sit with you at meals and come and visit your kitchen. For a long time Johnny knew something was off. Something had you feeling depressed a lot of the time. But he didn’t know what it was until today. He leaned on the counter and looked at you knowingly. 

“He’s never going to feel the same way about me.” You admitted sadly as you sat on a stool in your kitchen. Johnny put his drink down on the counter and watched as you moved to sit. “He’s too good for me. I don’t deserve someone like him.”

“Hey,” Johnny said getting your attention. He moved to crouch in front of you, and he took your hands in his. “You are amazing. Your stuff has saved us more times than I can count. You are the smartest and kindest person I know. You absolutely deserve anyone you want. Don’t sell yourself short.”

You looked at Johnny who was gazing into your eyes. He meant the things he was telling you. You licked your lips and looked sadly at your lap sighing in a melancholy way.

“I wish I could believe you.” You said quietly. 

///

You were just bottling the formula that you had made for Kenshi. It turned out even better than the first time and you were very pleased. You heard a knock on the door frame as you were putting the lid on. You smiled, remembering that last time you had asked Kenshi to announce himself, and this time he did. But that smile quickly faded when you realized that it was in fact Kenshi, and you still harbored unrequited feelings for him. You slowly turned to face him.

“Kenshi,” You said before clearing your throat to get your breath back. “You’re just in time.” You took a bottle of the formula in your hand to give it to him.

“I was actually hoping to discuss something with you.” He said coming further into the kitchen towards you. Your heart stopped and it felt like your stomach dropped into your butt. ‘Oh shit. He’s gonna talk about my feelings!’ You thought to yourself. 

“Yes, I am, in fact.” He said walking all the way to you. Standing just in front of you he took the bottle from your hand and placed it behind you on the counter. He had never been this close to you before. Your breath hitched in your throat as you caught a whiff of how he smelled. You lungs burned, urging you to breathe again, but you couldn’t find the means to do so. 

“I heard what you thought yesterday, about wishing to give up on your feelings for me.” He started to explain further what he was talking about. You were finally able to sigh and take a few labored breaths. The fear in you bubbled up and was written all over your face, not that Kenshi would have seen it, but he could definitely sense it. 

“I’m s- I’m sorry.” You said quietly.

“No, I’ve come to ask you not to.” Kenshi clarified and your whole self froze. Your heart stopped. Your lungs stopped. Your brain stopped. What had he just said? To not give up on him? No. He couldn’t have. He wouldn’t have. He put a soft hand against your cheek to cup it. The feeling of him touching you left a searing coursing through your skin. It electrified you to your core. Then he continued. “I had hoped that after a while your feelings for me would have dissipated.” He licked his lips before going on. “You see, being with me is dangerous. It makes you a target. I had hoped that with time you would have been able to move on, for your safety. But you haven’t. And neither have I.” 

‘What did he just say?’ You thought to yourself. ‘What was he implying? ‘Neither did he.’?’

“Truthfully, I have been having the same thoughts about you that you have about me. The sincere ones.” He said before his thumb ghosted your lips. “The sexual ones.” And then his hand fell from your face to his side and the loss of contact almost made you whine. “And the sad ones.” His head faced the ground. “Even though I’ve wanted to be with you from the first moment we met, I didn’t want to put you in harms way. But seeing how much pain it causes you. It breaks my heart. I’m sorry I put you through that.”

You were shaking now. Still not breathing, you were still frozen to the spot. ‘This can’t be happening.’ You thought to yourself, and Kenshi’s head moved up as if to look at you. 

“But,” He took a steadying breath and licked his lips. “Knowing the risks, if you would give me a chance, I would like to make it up to you.” He said taking your hands in his. “I believe I can make you happy again. Would you let me try?”

Tears cascaded from your eyes freely. Everything that you had ever wanted was coming true right before your eyes. Kenshi raised a hand and wiped away the tears from your face. But you still couldn’t move. You felt that this was a wonderful dream and if you moved it would end. You wanted desperately to wrap your arms around him and kiss him and hold him close, but your body wasn’t letting you.

“If I may,” Kenshi said as he put his hand behind your head, threading his fingers into your hair. Then he pulled your head towards himself, and very gently, his lips met yours. It was as if he had broken a spell. Because the second his lips touched yours you broke free and tentatively raised your hands to cup his face. When you felt him in your hands it was as if you realized that this was not in fact a dream, and that you could move and he would still be right there. You kissed him back ardently holding his face to yours. 

Kenshi’s other hand snaked behind you to pull you closer to him. Your arms moved of their own accord and wrapped around Kenshi’s neck. He pressed you firmly into him, his tongue roamed across your lips asking for access which you gladly gave. The kiss turned more passionate and you couldn’t help the tears of happiness that left your eyes.

“Wow, about time!” Johnny’s voice interrupted you two. Kenshi didn’t pull back in surprise however. He calmly gave you one last kiss before turning around to face Johnny who stood in the doorway. He used his telekinesis to push Johnny back out of the doorway, and shut the door in his face, locking it.

Kenshi turned back to you and brought you close to him again, continuing the kiss from before. 

#mortal kombat x reader #mortal kombat #mortal kombat imagine #kenshi #kenshi x reader #kenshi imagine

[theangelofvengeance]

If Jason Lee Scott from “Power Rangers” was a DLC character in Mortal Kombat X...

This is what his interactions would look like.

vs. Cassie Cage

Jason Lee Scott: You're Cage's daughter? Cassie Cage: Well whaddya know, baconhead? Jason Lee Scott: It's frying time, missy!

Cassie Cage: I assume you're the Power Rangers, right? Jason Lee Scott: I'm the leader of the group. Why? Cassie Cage: Otherwise, I'm leading you to a hospital.

Vs. D'Vorah

Jason Lee Scott: You're really nasty, you know that? D'Vorah: You will respect the Kytinn! Jason Lee Scott: I would if you least take a bath!

D'Vorah: You'll be good food for the hive. Jason Lee Scott: Sorry, I won't even taste good. D'Vorah: You will come, like it or not!

vs. Ermac

Jason Lee Scott: Quite an interesting challenge I got. Ermac: You won't survive against my souls! Jason Lee Scott: Tell them I got my fist coming their way!

Ermac: You are cornered, pathetic soul. Jason Lee Scott: As in five against one? No problem! Ermac: More like five against a hundred!

vs. Erron Black

Jason Lee Scott: Looks like it's high noon, huh? Erron Black: You'll be going down low, son. Jason Lee Scott: Then go ahead and draw.

Erron Black: You won't live after five seconds. Jason Lee Scott: I'll last longer than that, cowboy. Erron Black: My bullets will say otherwise.

vs. Goro

Jason Lee Scott: Four arms? No problem. Goro: You're the one with a problem! Jason Lee Scott: Can't really say that. I'm flawless.

Goro: Your Power Rangers will fall! Jason Lee Scott: Such talk from a naked turtle. Goro: And I'll shut you up for good.

vs. Jacqui Briggs

Jason Lee Scott: You're Jackson Briggs's daughter? Jacqui Briggs: With arms like these, I'll show you. Jason Lee Scott: Chose the perfect time to ask.

Jacqui Briggs: This won't be a problem. Jason Lee Scott: But it's mine to solve, honey. Jacqui Briggs: Let's add the teeth you're gonna lose.

vs. Jason Lee Scott (Power Rangers DLC)

Jason Lee Scott (1): Rocky, is that you? Jason Lee Scott (2): I'm Jason, you dump truck. Jason Lee Scott (1): A fitting place for a faker like you.

Jason Lee Scott (2): Is this some kind of joke?! Jason Lee Scott (1): If it is, I'm not laughing. Jason Lee Scott (2): But I'll be the one laughing last.

vs. Jax

Jason Lee Scott: Fascinating arms you have there. Jax: Makes me hit hard with them. Jason Lee Scott: Ah, bet I can hit harder than that.

Jax: Please tell me Jacqui's not joining you too. Jason Lee Scott: We're fine with what we got. Jax: Can't say the same about your well-being.

vs. Johnny Cage

Jason Lee Scott: Is this the Johnny Cage? Johnny Cage: Yours truly. Need something? Jason Lee Scott: A neckbrace fit for your size.

Johnny Cage: You a jumpsuit-wearing car salesman? Jason Lee Scott: No, I'm one of the Power Rangers. Johnny Cage: Weird girl scout troop you came from...

vs. Kano

Jason Lee Scott: Why wear a cup for your face? Kano: I'll gut ya for that tasteless joke! Jason Lee Scott: Insulting me doesn't make it more true.

Kano: Another flippin' Power Ranger, huh? Jason Lee Scott: The leader of the pack. Kano: Time to pack you in a body bag, then.

vs. Kenshi

Jason Lee Scott: This feels so wrong. Kenshi: Is this because I'm blind? Jason Lee Scott: Well... mostly that.

Kenshi: You've arrived. Jason Lee Scott: Aaaaaaand you're blind. Kenshi: Just don't underestimate me.

vs. Kimberly Hart (Power Rangers DLC)

Kimberly Hart: Feeling trained enough, Jase? Jason Lee Scott: This'll be a piece of cake, Kim. Kimberly Hart: Hope you like eating from a straw.

Jason Lee Scott: I won't go easy on you, Kimberly. Kimberly Hart: I don't expect it to. Jason Lee Scott: I guess the feeling's mutual.

vs. Kitana

Jason Lee Scott: A pleasure to fight the princess. Kitana: Your pain will turn me on. Jason Lee Scott: Well, that's a bit of a turn-off.

Kitana: You're a very fascinating one. Jason Lee Scott: I'm not sure you're my type. Kitana: The feeling's very mutual, I'm sure.

vs. Kotal Kahn

Jason Lee Scott: Is this the emperor of Outrealm? Kotal Kahn: Your death will show you why I am. Jason Lee Scott: Such words from a big fat liar.

Kotal Kahn: You and your friends don't impress me. Jason Lee Scott: I'd say the same about your headdress. Kotal Kahn: I'll rip off your mouth for that one.

vs. Kung Jin

Jason Lee Scott: The former ex-thief. Kung Jin: The muscleheaded meatstick. Jason Lee Scott: Let me snap you then, Slim Jim.

Kung Jin: Don't you dare compare me to this Adam guy! Jason Lee Scott: Isn't it why you sound like him? Kung Jin: Okay, now I'm getting a little sick!

vs. Kung Lao

Jason Lee Scott: You think your sharp hats frighten me? Kung Lao: I'll show you myself the hard way. Jason Lee Scott: Definitely the way I want it.

Kung Lao: Strange outfit you got on. Jason Lee Scott: Strange way to ask me that question. Kung Lao: This fight will be normal as it is.

vs. Liu Kang

Jason Lee Scott: So, I guess it comes down to this. Liu Kang: Don't do anything you'll regret. Jason Lee Scott: You'll regret losing to me, that is.

Liu Kang: We're quite similar you and I. Jason Lee Scott: Only I'm much more stronger. Liu Kang: We shall see about that.

vs. Mileena

Jason Lee Scott: Kimberly, what the heck happened to you?! Mileena: I am not what you call Kimberly! Jason Lee Scott: Well, sorry I asked.

Mileena: Please come to me, my handsome. Jason Lee Scott: Sorry, I'm allergic to rabid dogs. Mileena: This one will maul you senseless!

vs. Quan Chi

Jason Lee Scott: Leave my friends out of this. Quan Chi: But they'll make fine specimen. Jason Lee Scott: Try it and see what happens!

Quan Chi: Leader of such puny teens. Jason Lee Scott: You're gonna pay for that, egghead. Quan Chi: Then I'll buy your soul and own you.

vs. Raiden

Jason Lee Scott: Pleasure to be fighting the elder god. Raiden: Be sure to give it all you got. Jason Lee Scott: I'll give ya more than that.

Raiden: You must not go any further. Jason Lee Scott: And if us Power Rangers refuse? Raiden: I'll make sure you should've listened.

vs. Reptile

Jason Lee Scott: Ugh, did something die in here? Reptile: That will be you, wretched fool. Jason Lee Scott: No wonder you smell like a toilet.

Reptile: I'll take you to Quan Chi myself. Jason Lee Scott: Didn't I dissect you in high school? Reptile: Unworthy mistake, child!

vs. Scorpion

Jason Lee Scott: I got so much left to ask you. Scorpion: Your answers will lie in death! Jason Lee Scott: Okay, that's not really helping.

Scorpion: Move and I might let you live. Jason Lee Scott: Like us Power Rangers will do that. Scorpion: Feeling unselfish, are we?

vs. Shinnok

Jason Lee Scott: Are you sure you're not Rita's brother? Shinnok: I'm not related to what you call Rita. Jason Lee Scott: I'm certain the hat gave it away.

Shinnok: Join me and live. Jason Lee Scott: Don't I get a say in this, dirtface? Shinnok: There are no second chances, boy!

vs. Sonya Blade

Jason Lee Scott: These are Special Forces, right? Sonya Blade: Correction. Now leave at once. Jason Lee Scott: I'll make you reconsider, then.

Sonya Blade: Are you one of those Power Rangers? Jason Lee Scott: Yeah, are you Mrs. Johnny Cage? Sonya Blade: Please don't bring that up...

vs. Sub-Zero

Jason Lee Scott: Did it get really cold in here? Sub Zero: I'll show you how cold I can be. Jason Lee Scott: Shame I didn't pack my jacket with me.

Sub-Zero: Power Rangers are no match for Lin Kuei. Jason Lee Scott: Care to repeat that comment? Sub-Zero: Once is enough. Now fight!

vs. Takeda

Jason Lee Scott: You won't see this coming. Takeda: Ah, my whip will make you think twice. Jason Lee Scott: It's already thinking of a quick win.

Takeda: Power Rangers? Sounds flashy. Jason Lee Scott: Just like I'll beat you in a flash. Takeda: I'll promise not to blink.

vs. Tommy Oliver (Power Rangers DLC)

Tommy Oliver: Ready for a warm-up, buddy? Jason Lee Scott: Just keep your feet in one piece. Tommy Oliver: I'll remember that in mind.

Jason Lee Scott: Rita's not controlling you, right? Tommy Oliver: You act like I'm evil again. Jason Lee Scott: I'll just have to be sure.

vs. Ferra/Torr

Jason Lee Scott: What a weird way to babysit. Ferra/Torr: Torr will sit on you dead! Jason Lee Scott: I guess someone's getting a timeout.

Ferra/Torr: Red man go squish! Jason Lee Scott: Try it and you go squash! Ferra/Torr: You horrible at jokes!

What do all of you think?

#Mortal Kombat X #Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #interactions #Jason Lee Scott #Kimberly Hart #Tommy Oliver #Cassie Cage #D'Vorah #Ermac #Goro #Erron Black #Jackson Briggs #Jax Briggs #Jacqui Briggs #Johnny Cage #Kano #Kenshi Takahashi #Kitana #Kotal Kahn #Kung Jin #Kung Lao #Liu Kang #Mileena #Quan Chi #Raiden #Reptile #Scorpion #Shinnok #Sonya Blade #Sub-Zero

[cienie-isengardu]

MK 11 story

Since  there are already MK11 storymode / cutscenes out on net, of course I couldn’t help myself and watch. For now, this is more like chaotic rambling than any serious meta, but I really need to get all the emotions out so, beware spoilers:

Things I like and/or wish were more exploited

RACISM/SPECIESISM IN OUTWORLD what always was a big part of storyline but rarely were talked or pointed out. We see this with Tarkatans, who were always treated as animals / slaves / beneath the Edenians or other Outworld cultures. I liked how Kitana and Jade (who in MK9 called/treated Baraka like dog) changed - or at least started changing that. The fact princess Kitana and Baraka worked against Shao Kahn reminds me one of old MK comics, what only adds points of awesomess.

Also, I freaking love how MK11 gives Outworld cultures so much details. Tarkatans (among them females too), people of Kotal with their masks and painting and all. SO GREAT! Oh, and the people watching fight in arena, cheering all the bloodness and not giving any fuck who will win and become the new khan XDDDD

Scenery. Everyone is So Beautiful. Also, nice to see old arenas, including Shang Tsung’s Island :3

KUAI LIANG AND HANZO HASASHI’S TEAMWORK :3 :3 :3 I just can’t! I love it so much. The way they work in sync with each other and their banters, SO BEAUTIFUL ;3 Also, people’s reaction at seeing them / hearing about them on good terms. So much fun! My favorite little things is their meeting before mission to destroy Cyber Lin Kuei and Sub-Zero making sure Hanzo is looking in right direction to see entrance he is actually talking about XD

ALSO, KUAI LIANG AND CYRAX. Cyrax once again breaks my heart :( Please, someone let him have his human body again! I wish there was younger, human version of Cyrax then, if just to see the epic scream match between him and Cyber Sektor XDDD Once again, Cyber Cyrax proved he never should be in command of C.I. Project; give him a free will for like few seconds, and he will be willing to blow up all cyborgs including himself :(

I’m gonna tell more about Sektor, Noob and Frost while rambling about things that irked me more or less, but let me tell you this: I start think my meta about Sektor and Bi-Han’s relationship may be actually valid thing. Also, all of them are right now the trio of black sheeps of Lin Kuei which makes this little scene

quite... heartwarming? Taking care of each other - even if just for pragmatic reasons - hits me hard cause no one really care now for Frost, Sektor and to some degree, Noob (Kuai cares, sure, but in story mode he says they share the same blood but are not brothers) :(

OLDER JOHNNY! God, I love this version of his character :3 Also, the way he deals with his younger self :D :D :D :D

Generally, I liked very much all the interaction between younger and older selfs and all family feelings :3 This reminds me MK movie (1995)’s quote, how Mortal Kombat is not about death but about life and hell yeah, MK11 brings a lot good emotions.

Wonder what happened to Erron, to change so much from his younger reckless(?) self to more calm, loyal(?) to Kotal self. Even Johnny pointed something along the lines.

For once Raiden does not fuck up stuff and his relationship with Liu Kang ends on good terms. Nice.

Kung Lao’s remarks! Haha, I missed his sense of humor. Shame there was no Jinn to share sarcastic humor...

The talk about Cassie kickings Shinnok’s ass cause she has some magic in her while Jax/Jacqui needed to use magic item to beat godness makes me wonder how Jacqui is doing, the normal mortal between all those fighters with special powers (Cassie & Johnny and their magic, Takeda & Kenshi with reading minds and so one). I wish we could see more about this.

Here are things that irked me more or less.

The inconsistency between games.

I know, messed up timlines and all, but for example, Sektor as Grandmaster and his supposed crimes. Destroying Shirai Ryu & having deal with Quan Chi wasn’t Cyber Sektor doing, but his father, the Grandmaster from Sub-Zero Mythologies. I don’t like how Sektor is now blamed for stuff he wasn’t in position(?) to do back then. He is messed up evil, but please stop making him a scapegoat for everything that went wrong with original Lin Kuei >_<

Wasn’t Jax already out of military in MKX?

I’m not sure about Kotal’s backstory too, the supposed Shao’s betrayal and being given to Shang Tsung, as “ laboratory rat”. I’m pretty sure MKX gave different story, in which he was Kahn’s loyal general once who simply put Outworld’s good over serving Mileena.

Also, the thing that pisses me off for good is the whole Jax’s wife died so he can’t deal with grief and/or wish Jacqui did not serve as soldier so he is working (for some time) for Kronika. Eh. I’m so dissappointed with this one. Killing older!Sonya does not help the feeling but frankly, why not use Sonya’s death as motivation and have two combined tragedies/family dramas into one, since Briggs and Blade-Cage are one big family? I mean, Kronika was talking about Jax’s fear that something bad will happen to Jacqui on duty which makes sense, because this connect the game to previous one and all. But it makes me sad there is little connection to Sonya’s death. Okay, maybe I need to rewatch the cutscenes to get better perspective about this plot.

MK11 in my opinion also lack the great friendship between Cassie and Jacqui seen in previous game. I get it, really, there is so many stuff happening and both girls have family crisis to deal with and all, but there is something off about their relationship and that upsets me a lot :(

The treatment of Noob Saibot, Sektor and Frost. The first two were in game solely to be beat down while the way everyone give up on Frost so fast makes me really sad. I’m supposed to believe that Kuai wish to redeem his brother (in Sub-Zero’s ending) but does not think twice about Frost? His precious student? Not to mention that once again Frost plays the villain. I wish there was second Frost to stand up with her mentor against Cyber Lin Kuei/Kronnika. Or at something that could judge how much her claims is delusion and how much truth. Did Kuai really failed her so much? :(

Also, where the hell is Smoke and Sindel? The dead queen at least was mentioned by Kitana and Shao Kahn and, if I remember correctly, wraith Jade. While there is no mention of Smoke??? :( Okay, there is, but in intro. Thanks Noob, for once you were uselful XD

Frankly, the lack of Takeda is also something I wish was changed. His presence would add a lot weight to discussion between Scorpions, what makes Shirai Ruy. The younger version felt those new students of grandmaster Hasashi aren’t worth (cause no real blood ties to original clan members) while Hanzo disagree. Takeda, as an example of great skills and loyalty to clan/Hanzo could be nice addition. Lack of Jin upsets me too :( And Syzoth :( :(

And this is really minor thing but why the hell Noob Saibot would tell Jacqui and young!Jax his former name? Like, fine, Jax knew, but why he didn’t just call himself Sub-Zero? What would made much more sense.

#mortal kombat #mortal kombat 11 #mortal kombat 11 spoilers #my rants #i lack of sleep because of mk 11 now #didn't except to see storymode on net so early #so of course once i found it by accident i needed to watch it and now rant #seriously i have so much things to think about when it comes to lin keui #especially the trio of black sheeps #and now sektor and bi han is all i can think